Counter Espionage – Executing a Trap

Gall Trayvis

In Vision of Hope, the Rebels discover a hidden message in a Holonet broadcast from Senator Gall Trayvis. In his message, Trayvis alludes to a meeting of Rebels in Lothal’s Old Republic Senate Building. As the heroes arrive at the Senate building, they realize the Empire has also discovered the secret meeting and will likely capture the defiant senator.

After devising a quick plan, the Ghost crew heads into the building intent on rescuing the senator. Upon locating Trayvis, the heroes learn he is actually a double-agent working with the Imperials. Trayvis reveals that he works with the Empire to lure Rebel sympathizers unknowingly (through false codes) into the hands of the Empire. Fortunately, for Kanan and the others, they escape their Imperial pursuers, leaving Trayvis behind.

During World War II, the Allies used a similar tactic to discover Japan’s plot of attacking Midway Atoll. Using and decoding secret messages, the Allies lured the Japanese navy into a trap where they were decisively defeated.

Following the destructive attack at Pearl Harbor, the American Navy was intent on not allowing Japan to get an upper hand again. After Pearl Harbor, Midway became the United States’ westernmost outpost in the central Pacific. Its airfield allowed US Forces to monitor Japanese activities around nearby Wake Island and the Marshall Islands. Japan also recognized Midway’s strategical importance and began making plans for an all-in strike.

Midway Atoll in 1942.

By early 1942, Allied efforts to crack the Japanese secret codes (Codenamed Magic) had paid off. American code breakers were deciphering Japanese messages, sometimes faster than the intended targets. Soon, it became apparent that Japan was planning a massive strike, but it was not clear where the attack would fall. Naval intelligence convinced Admiral Chester Nimitz that the target was Midway, however the evidence was thin.

Naval officials in Washington required more convincing before committing so many naval resources to Midway. Lt. Commander Jasper Homes came up with a brilliant plan to discover whether or not Midway was the true target. Naval intelligence had noted that the abbreviation “AF” was repeatedly used in the Japanese coded messages. In a bold move, an uncoded message was sent from Midway indicating that their water purification system had failed. The message read: “We have only enough water for two weeks. Please supply us immediately.” A few days later, naval intelligence decoded a Japanese message indicating that “AF” had water problems. It was now undeniable, Midway was the target.

Japanese cruiser Mikuma shortly before sinking.

Over the next few weeks, naval intelligence and its codebreakers uncovered Admiral Yamamoto’s attack plans and efforts were quickly made to counter the Japanese attack. When the Japanese fleet arrived at Midway to begin their assault in June, 1942 the US Navy was waiting to ambush them. The battle raged from June 4 – 7 and when it was over, Japan had lost four aircraft carriers and over 300 planes and 200 pilots. The Japanese Imperial Navy never recovered from the destruction at Midway. Thanks to the efforts of US codebreakers, the Americans took control of the Pacific only six months after their brutal defeat at Pearl Harbor.

Double Agents

Trayvis reveals his treachery.

During times of war, each side is willing to do almost anything to gain the upper hand. Espionage employs the use of spies to infiltrate enemy resources in an effort to learn valuable data. Such information can often be exploited to achieve a greater goal or possibly win the war.

In Vision of Hope, the crew of the Ghost learns that their beloved hero, Senator Gall Trayvis, is an Imperial double agent. Throughout warfare, double agents have been used to acquire inside information. A double agent is someone who appears to be loyal to one side (A), but is secretly working with the enemy (B) to spy on their opponent (A). Essentially, a double agent plays for both sides, but is only truthfully loyal to one side.

Some of history’s best known spies have been double agents. Names like Arlich Ames and Robert Hanssen both worked for the American government in the CIA and FBI, respectively. Before being discovered, they both sold US secrets to the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Their treachery cost the lives of numerous operatives hiding within the USSR.

Mata Hari's mugshot.

Perhaps the best known of all double agents is Margaretha Geertruida "Margreet" Zelle MacLeod, a.k.a. Mata Hari. During World War I, the Dutch-born exotic dancer used her “skills” and social status to acquire important information from both German and French officials. Because the Netherlands were neutral during World War I, she could freely enter both France and Germany. Her movements between the two warring nations eventually aroused suspicion and in 1916 she was arrested by the British. Under interrogation, Zelle claimed to be a French spy and was eventually released. Although the French never admitted that Mata Hari was spying for them, there is evidence that she was working for French captain Georges Ladoux.

In January, 1917 the Germans transmitted a coded message to Berlin, recounting the aid of a helpful spy codenamed H-21. The French intercepted the message and determined that H-21 was Mata Hari, now considered a double agent. She was arrested in Paris on February 13, 1917. Despite having a trial, her guilt was imminent as her defense attorney could not cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses or examine his own witnesses. Mata Hari was found guilty and executed on October 15, 1917.

Although declassified German documents do indicate Mata Hari truly was Germany’s H-21, debate continues over just how much spying she really did. Some historians claim she simply agreed to spy for money and never provided any valuable information. Others affirm her loyalty to Germany by referencing the German killing of a Belgian double agent that French intelligence had informed Mata Hari about only weeks earlier. More information is expected to be declassified in the coming years. Perhaps the truth is still waiting to be discovered.

Betrayal

Alfons Mucha poster for Sarah Bernhardt in role of Medea (1898)

Time and again, heroes are betrayed by people they once trusted as friends or confidants. Heroes are typically betrayed for greed or envy. In Euripides' Medea, Jason betrays his beloved Medea, denying they were ever married. His plan? To run off with the local king’s daughter, Glauce. No doubt, Jason hoped to elevate his status by marrying the king’s daughter. However, his betrayal came with a price as Medea murdered the king, Glauce, and two of their children in retaliation.

Han encased in carbonite following Lando's betrayal.

In Vision of Hope, the crew of the Ghost discovers an awful truth. The Imperial whistleblower and defiant senator, Gall Trayvis is actually a double agent working for the Empire. Trayvis admits to luring unsuspecting Rebels to locations where they are then murdered or taken prisoner by the Empire. He confesses that he joined and supported the Empire to save his own life.

Betrayal usually comes with a high cost. Just ask Lando Calrissian who lost his cushy job as the administrator of Cloud City when he betrayed his friend, Han Solo. It will be interesting to see the final cost of Trayvis’ betrayal.